Pawpaw Trees ( Paw Paw ) – Asimina triloba
The Pawpaw ( Paw paw ) tree look like a tropical tree but are actually from temperate climates and are available for sale to grow from USDA Zone 9 to zone 5a.
They do require good drainage and can take 5 years or so to get to a fruiting size.
Generally an upright tree, however with pendulous foliage, in nature they grow as an under-story tree so are used to filtered light.
In commercial cultivation they are grown in full sun as they produce more fruit in a sunny position. However in the home garden they will fruit in part shade if that is all thats available.
The large fruit is best eaten cold as a desert, however the fruit is also said to have medicinal properties.
Care
The Pawpaw tree requires a warm summer and a cool winter, when they go into dormancy. A well drained humus rich soil is essential and in good conditions the Paw Paw will reach around 25ft (5m) in height.
Although a single tree may produce fruit, you really need two or more to guarantee good pollination and good fruit set.
Growing Conditions For Pawpaw Trees
- Keep the area beneath the tree weed free.
- Mulch to maintain a cool root run and help with weeds.
- When you apply the mulch add some slow release fertilizer with the idea of creating a slightly acidic soil.
Pruning
These fruiting trees require little pruning other than removal of dead and diseased wood.
Varieties
Asimina triloba or Pawpaw trees are available to buy as grafted trees from online and mail order Fruit tree nurseries.
When planting a pawpaw tree be sure not to disturb the tap root, plant two paw paw trees of different varieties for pollination.
- Verleese
- Shenandoah
- Susquehanna
- Rappahannock
- Allegheny
- Potomac
- Wabash
- NC – 1
- Taytwo
- Overlease
- Sweet Alice
- Sunflower
- Prolific
Propagation
Mostly grafted for best fruiting ability.
Pawpaw trees are available for sale from the following specialist nurseries.
GRIMO NUT NURSERY
Persian and Black Walnut, Heartnut, Butternut,Apricot, Chestnut, Hazelnut, Pecan, Hickory, Ginkgo, Pine nut, Mulberry, Persimmon, Paw Paw, Fig and many more.
www.grimonut.com
